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OUR PURPOSE To promote dialogue, awareness, and understanding about prejudice and to celebrate diversity in Belmont. OUR HISTORY Created in may 1992 after rioting scarred Los Angeles, Belmont Against Racism (BAR) is a community-action, all-volunteer organization addressing issues of racism and prejudice by following the slogan, think globally, act locally. We focus on fostering awareness and educating the community about exclusionary practices, creating a welcoming community for all, and increasing diversity throughout the town. While BAR, in its first decade, mostly focused on addressing racism, we have broadened our mission to include all problems of prejudice that impact our town and local community. BGSAC A subcommittee of BAR, the Gay Straight Alliance Committee (BGSAC) addresses issues faced by gays and lesbians in the Belmont community. WHAT'S NEW Martin Luther King Community Breakfast Monday January 17, 2011 at 8:45 am Belmont Hight School cafeteria 221 Concord Ave., Belmont MA This is an annual Belmont tradition. Every year, the community gathers together to honor and celebrate the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. At the breakfast, a featured speaker provides new perspectives on issues of race and social justice, and challenges us to once again make the dream an active part of our lives. The MLK breakfast is also the sole fund-raiser for the METCO After School fund. This fund is administered by the Belmont School department. It is used to provide safe and convenient transportation so that our high school METCO students can fully participate in all after-school activities (sports, fine arts, clubs and academics). These funds are also used to make sure that our elementary school and Middle School METCO students can take part in special after-school events. BAR is pleased to be a partner with the United States Census 2010, and encourages all residents of Belmont to participate in the census.  Belmont Against Racism Annual Meeting The 2010 Annual meeting was held on June 15, and featured an exploration of issues of race as seen in two remarkable films. Excerpts from "Race, The Power of an Illusion", produced by California Newsreel, and "Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible", produced and directed by Shakti Butler, were shown and a discussion followed. These films explore how concepts of race have justified social inequalities even though there is no genetic basis for race. Both are compelling explorations of American social and cultural history through interviews and personal stories. Boston/Belmont Dialogues At the MLK breakfast in January 2009, the guest speakers (Sam Williams and Mo Cowan) challenged us to continue the dialogue about issues of race. Planning for the dialogues began in the spring, and a series of three professionally moderated dialogues were held in May and June. Based on the strong positive feedback from all participants, there will be follow-up activities announced in the fall. This includes the potential for another series of dialogues. If you would like to participate, please send us an email. The BAR Annual Meeting was held on Friday, June 12, 2009. At the meeting, Mike Collins and Carol Sabia were honored for their many years of service as members of the BAR board of directors. New officers for the year were elected, with Jonathan Jacoby serving as the new President for 2009-2010 and Lisa Eschenbach as Vice President. The BAR fundraiser starring Richard Curzi and "Positive Energy" was a tremendous success. Our thanks to the entire group of talented musicians, and the staff of the Second Friday Coffeehouse at the First Church (Unitarian Universalist), for making this possible. It was "standing room only" for a wonderful evening of entertainment and fun. 2008-2009 Annual Report The 2009 annual report to our members and the public is now available in PDF format by clicking here. |
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